<lst>To have community events listed free in the Loudoun Connection, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to Loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Questions? Call Michael O'Connell at 703-917-6449.
<cal1>ONGOING
<cal2>New Faces: Showcasing Young Artists in Loudoun art exhibit features works from 49 students who attend seven schools in Loudoun County at the George Washington University Virginia Campus Gallery, 20101 Academic Way, Ashburn, 7-8:30 p.m. Exhibit on display through Feb. 20. Call 703-726-8304.
Ballroom Dance Studio offers weekly "Friday night Drop-In" Workshops on Fridays from 7:30-9 p.m. in Nite Club Survival. Cost $15. Call 703-444-3061. The studio is located in the Sterling Plaza Shopping Center.
Picnic shelter reservations for the Summer 2002 season are now being accepted by The Douglass Community Center. The full-day rental price for the shelter is $60. To make a reservation, visit the Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services community center or contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913.
The Byrne Gallery in Middleburg is presenting "Belles Fleurs," the new exhibit for the month of March, which celebrates the work of Carolyn Witschonke. The show will open March 6 and continue through until March 31. The gallery, located at 7 West Washington Street, will be open from 11 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Sundays noon until 5:30 p.m. For more information call 540-687-6986.
Throughout March, District West Fine Art will be presenting a suite of works by J. W. Mahoney entitled "Confederacy." The exhibition includes seven xerographies on Japanese paper mounted on wood panels that feature images of Confederate generals. Also in March, the gallery presents Volkmar Wentzel's 1946 photographic images of erotic sculpture of India. District West Fine Art is located at 106 South King Street in Leesburg. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
"How Does Art Shape the World?" is a question that 40,000 arts administrators and special education coordinators asked in 2001. Now Loudoun County residents can see what the answer is in a children's art exhibit running through March 22 at The Round Hill Center, 20 High Street, Round Hill. Viewing times are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays, and Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Sterling Community Center is offering an aerobic exercise class that incorporates kick-boxing moves with no contact, on Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. Cost is $25 per month. Child care is available for an additional fee. Call 703-430-9480 for more information.
Painter Connie Canby is displaying a collection of mixed media and watercolor pieces through Aprl 1 at the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling.
Painter Antonia Walker's work is on display throughout March at the Middleburg Library, 101 Reed Streat, Middleburg.
Painter Barbara Steinacker's pastels will be on display throughout April at the Middleburg Library, 101 Reed Street, Middleburg.
Donald Depuydt, professor at Northern Virginia Community College, is displaying a student printmaking exhibition March 1 through April 30 at the Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. The featured students are: Diane Bruce, Margarethe Franzen, Don Root, Virginia Yang, Shiki Douez, Smith Fox, Joel Holmberg, Cynthia Cardimon and Wendy Wilburn.
Afternoon Adventures Kids Club takes place every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise Street, Sterling. Activities include stories, songs, and games. The program is for children ages 6-9. Pre-registration is required the day before each program. For more information or to pre-register call 703-430-9500 or visit the Loudoun County Library web site at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>THURSDAY/MARCH 14
<cal2>'Loudoun's Existing Resources for Shaping the Future' will be explored by David Edwards, Director of the Winchester Office of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources; Joel Garreau (tentative), author of "Edge City: Life on the New Frontier"; and a member of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. 7:30 p.m. at the Loudoun Museum. For more information call 703-777-7427 or visit www.loudounmuseum.org.
Children ages 3-6 can learn everything about the beavers in Claude Moore Park, 21544 Cascades Parkway, Sterling, from 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m. Cost $7.50. Call 703-444-1275 for reservations.
A Library 101 class for homeschoolers is scheduled for 10 a.m. at The Purcellville Library, 220 East Main Street, Purcellville. First session will teach the difference between fiction and non-fiction and the Dewey Decimal System. For children ages 8 and up. One other session is scheduled for March 21. Pre-registration is required by March 6. For more information, call 540-338-7235 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Irish Springdancing will take place at 4:30 at the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place in Sterling. Michelle Donnelly's students from The Dancing School will perform Irish Dance in colorful costume. A family program for all ages. For more information call 703-444-3228 or visit the Loudoun County Public Library web site www.lcpl.lib.va.us. Sponsored by the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library Advisory Board.
"Book Talk" about Adriana Trigiani's book "Big Stone Gap" at Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. at 10 a.m. Call 703-430-9500 for more information or stop by the library to pick up a copy of the book.
<cal1>Friday,/March 15
<cal2>Potomac Falls High School presents the female version of Neil Simon's play "The Odd Couple" at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $5 at the door.
Learn About Frogs and Toads in Claude Moore Park, 21544 Cascades Parkway, Sterling, at 6-7 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 703-444-1275 before March 15, for reservations. Cost $2.
"Here's to the Green In All Of Us," a class for children five and up will take place 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Sterling Annex, 1115 W. Church Road, Sterling. Cost: $7.50. The supply fee is $15. Children will enjoy a green part of eating, crafting and fun. Pre-registration is required. For more information call 703-430-6673.
The Philomont Fire Department presents its St. Patty's Pancake Dinner. $5 for adults and $3 for children. Eat as much pancakes, waffles, ice cream and topping as you want at the Philomont Fire Department. Call 540-338-5882 for information.
Music from the 60's, 70's and 80's will be played at the Senior Center Cascades for everybody over 18 years old. Cost: $10 per person and drinks are provided. Time 7-11 p.m. The Center is located at Cascades Marketplace. Call 703-430-2397.
Barber Shop music at Lucketts Community Center at 7:30 p.m. Cost $8 for adults and $4 for children. Call 703-771-5281.
Pot o' Gold: Make a wonderful craft of gold from 1-2 p.m. at the Round Hill Center. For ages 3-5. Cost $5 per session. For more information, visit www.co.loudoun.va.us or call 540-338-7603.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MARCH 16
<cal2>Two bluegrass bands, Leon Morris & Associates and In The Tradition, will be performing at the Lucketts Community Center Stage. Doors open at 6 p.m., music at 7 p.m. Tickets $10 are sold at the door. Refreshments are available at the snack bar. For more information call 703-771-5281.
Loudoun County Democratic Committee's St. Patrick's Day Party will take place 1-5 p.m. at 39550 Meadowlark Drive in Hamilton. Admission is $50 per person at the door. For tickets, call Heather Miller at 703-430-0697 or Elizabeth Nathanson at 703-723-0511. For more information, visit www.lcdems.com.
Forest Edge Fun Fair will take place 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Forest Edge Elementary School, 1501 Becontree Lane in Reston.
A public meeting on Loudoun County's upcoming survey of African American Historic Sites is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Douglass School, 407 East Market Street, Leesburg. For additional information, contact the Loudoun County Planning Department at 703-777-0246 or Pauline Singletary of the Friends of Thomas Balch Library at 703-737-7195.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The event is arranged by The Loudoun County Office of Solid Waste Management and takes place at Evergreen Mill Elementary School, 491 Evergreen Mill Road, State Route 621. For more information or to volunteer during this event, call the Loudoun County Recycling Hotline at 703-771-5318 or visit www.loudoun.gov/oswm/hhw.htm.
Potomac Falls High School presents the male version of Neil Simon's play "The Odd Couple" at 2 p.m. Tickets $5 at the door.
The Sterling Community Center Advisory Board is sponsoring the Briar Patch Park Yard Sale to benefit upkeep and improvements at Briar Patch Park. The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park, 1500 Sterling Blvd., Sterling. Space $15. Rain date is March 23. For more information call 703-715-6220.
"The Irish Princess & The Pea" presented by VSA arts of Virginia-Loudoun County. 8 p.m. at Farmwell Station Middle School in Ashburn. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5/person and $18/family. Children under 3 are admitted free. For more information contact Special Recreation Programs with Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services at 703-777-0343.
Katayoun will present a Persian Dance Workshop from noon to 2 p.m. at the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost is $25 pre-registered and $30 at the door (space permitting). No experience is required. To register call 703-433-2460 or e-mail katayoundance@hotmail.com.
Christian Fellowship Church's MOPS Consignment Sale will take place from 8:30-11:30 a.m. (12-1 p.m. half-price, selected items) at
Christian Fellowship Church, 21673 Beaumeade Circle, Ashburn. Clothing, baby equipment/furniture, toys, books, and more! 150+ consignors! Please call 540-882-4860 or visit cfellowshipc.com/mops for more info., or to consign. Proceeds benefit CFC MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers).
The Sterling Community Input Meeting originally scheduled for March 16 has been postponed until April. The Board of Supervisors has instead scheduled a budget work session for this morning.
Discover the isolated, freshwater wetlands and seasonal ponds that support a wealth of wildlife year-round at the Rust Wildlife Sanctuary in Leesburg. Mike Hayslett will begin the day at 9 a.m. with an indoor explanation of what makes these ponds so special. He will show some of the animals that live in them. Then, visitors will see one of these ponds that is located nearby. After a lunch break at noon, the group will reconvene at 1 p.m. for a visit to a larger complex of winter wetland ponds. Sponsored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Audubon Naturalist Society.
Cost $10 for entire day or $5 for part of the day. Please contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jandkcoleman@erols.com to register.
Mirror Ridge at Community Village, a premier senior rental community in the metropolitan area, will host an open house from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For directions and more information call 703-788-9771.
"Hot Mikado" at Ford's Theatre, 5-11 p.m. Trip departs from Philomont Community Center. Cost: $45. Call 540-338-5882.
Visit a military reenactment covering Roman times through Vietnam at the Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg. Tour the museum and living history areas of the first English settlement in the Americas. Tickets, tour and transportation is included. Trip departs from and returns to Claude Moore Park in Sterling. Cost: $35. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Sunday/March 17
<cal2>Potomac Falls High School presents the female version of Neil Simon's play "The Odd Couple" at 2 p.m. Tickets $5 at the door.
"The Irish Princess & The Pea" presented by VSA arts of Virginia-Loudoun County. 4 p.m. at Farmwell Station Middle School in Ashburn. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5/person and $18/family. Children under 3 are admitted free. For more information contact Special Recreation Programs with Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services at 703-777-0343.
Women's History Month Celebration will take place at the Laurel Brigade Inn and will feature guest speakers, a women's history film, a local feminist singer, tea & treats and book signing by local author Meredith Bean McMath. The Laurel Brigade Inn is located at 20 W. Market St. in Leesburg. Cost: women $14.61, men $20.02, students $5. For reservations, call 703-737-0475, or 540-822-9135.
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is sponsoring a tour of the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve with beaver ponds. 4 p.m. to dusk. For all ages. Please contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jandkcoleman@erols.com to register.
A St. Patrick's Day Concert will take place at Loudoun Valley Community Center at 3 p.m. Cost: $12 for adults and $8 for seniors. Call 540-338-4122 for information.
<cal1>Monday/March 18
<cal2>"Books in Color" a 7 p.m. reading discussion group will meet at Middleburg Library, 101 Reed Street in Middleburg. This discussion will include the book "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest Gaines. Recommended for adults. Stop by the library to pick up a copy of the book. For more information, call 540-687-5730.
The Spring to Life (Ages 3-6) preschool program will be offered 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2:00 p.m. Hike Claude Moore Park, 21544 Cascades Parkway, Sterling, and look for signs of spring. $7.50/session. Registration required. For more information call 703-444-1275.
A summer sport organizational meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the administrative office of Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services in Leesburg. Current and new athletes and coaches should attend. For more information call 703-777-0438 or e-mail at cconover@loudoun.gov.
Party with St. Patty! Party with friends to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Craft and goodies provided. From 12:30-1:30 p.m. For ages 3-5, $5 per session. For more information, visit www.co.loudoun.va.us or call 540-338-7603.
Reading discussion group will meet at Middleburg Library, 101 Reed St., Middleburg. Discussion on: "A Lesson Before Dying," by Ernest Gaines. 7 p.m. Recommended for adults. Call 540-687-5730 for more information or stop by the library to pick up your copy of the book. Sponsored by the Middleburg Library Advisory Board.
<cal1>Tuesday/March 19
<cal2>Sterling Annex on West Church Road, Sterling, is offering a Sign Language II class for adults. The class costs $60 and will run for 8 weeks. Time: 7-8:30 p.m. Call 703-430-6673 for registration. Dr. Seuss Movie Festival will take place 4 p.m. at Eastern Loudoun Library, 21030 Whitfield Place in Sterling. For more information, call 703-444-3228 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Buyer/Seller Information Exchange session 11 a.m. in the Lovettsville Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg. The event is sponsored by the Purchasing Office and is open to all representatives of area businesses. To reserve a seat, call 703-777-0403 or send an e-mail to pcogle@loudoun.gov.
The Oatlands Plantation will continue its 2002 Potting Shed Series with "Shrubs and Trees." Donna Williamson will teach the class which will address the many uses of trees and shrubs in landscaping. The class will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 12. Additional classes will take place on March 19, 26 and April 2. The cost for the series is $55 and $47.10 for Friends of Oatlands members. To make a reservation call 703-777-3174.
Loudoun County Parks is offering class on how to do a family tree. The course is for all ages but a parent or grandparent is asked to accompany their child. Bring a few photos, a family folk tale or a treasured memory to share. The course costs $7.50 and pre-registration is required. Register at any Loudoun County Parks, Recreation or Community Service facility. Call 703-421-5322 for more information.
Nature Explorers (Ages 5-6) preschool program will be offered 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2:00 p.m. Every week, Nature Explorers will hike the meadows, forests, wetlands and ponds of Claude Moore Park, 21544 Cascades Parkway, Sterling. $7.50/session. Registration required. For more information call 703-444-1275.
Rattlin' Rainsticks (Grades 1-5) elementary-age program will be offered 3:30-5 p.m. at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Cascades Parkway, Sterling. $7.50/session. Learn about weather and make your own rainstick. For more information call 703-444-1275.
Hands on History Club: Bi-weekly meeting of history club for young people will take place at Heritage Farm Museum at 3 p.m.. A new craft or subject will be taught each week. $7.50. Ages 6-10. Pre-registration is required. Register at any Loudoun County Parks, Recreation, or Community Service facility. For more information please call (703) 421-5322. Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum located at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Cascades Parkway, Sterling, Virginia 20164.
Join Alonso Abugattas, a local naturalist, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rust Library to learn how to attract the fascinating world of pollinators to your garden. This free program is sponsored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.
A nature photography mini-course covering equipment and basic techniques will be offered at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve at 7 p.m. The course continues on March 30 at 9 a.m. with Close-up Field Lab. Cost is $10 per session or $25 for the complete mini-course. Sign-up is required. Adults only. For more information, visit www.basheereks.org or call 703-669-0316. This course is sponsored by The Friends of Banshee Reeks.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/MARCH 20
<cal2>Book it - Books for the Fun of it! a 7 p.m. book discussion will meet at the Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road in Leesburg. Recommended for children ages 9-11. For more information, call 703-771-5624 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Family Trees: Learn the basics of making a family tree in this program specially designed for a multi-generational experience at Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum at 3 p.m. A parent or grandparent is asked to accompany their child and share family history. Bring a few photos, a family folk tale, or a treasured memory to share. $7.50. All ages. Pre-registration is required. Register at any Loudoun County Parks, Recreation, or Community Service facility. For more information please call (703) 421-5322. Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum located at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Cascades Parkway, Sterling, Virginia 20164.
The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and local public safety agencies will host the 2002 Valor Awards at The Leesburg Holiday Inn at Historic Carradoc Hall from 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Dave Statter, Reporter, 9 Eyewitness News, will be the keynote speaker. Tables of ten are available at $450 and individual seats at $40 each. For more information, call 703-777-2176.
Chrysalis: A Book Discussion Group for Homeschoolers 1 p.m. at the Purcellville library, 220 East Main Street. Discussion will include the book "Jacob Have I loved" by Katherine Paterson. Games, food and drinks will be provided. For homeschoolers age 10 and up. For information, to register or to obtain a copy of the book, call 540-338-7235 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Virginia Department of Transportation and Tri-County Parkway Study team are offering a public "Scoping" meeting to kick-off the Tri-County Parkway Location Study. The meeting is from 5-8 p.m. at Arcola Elementary School, 24328 Goshen Road, Arcola.
<cal1>THURSDAY/MARCH 21
<cal2>Loudoun Walking and Volkssport Club Meeting is scheduled for 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Leesburg's Rust Library. Everyone interested in walking in the county is invited. For more information contact Bob Wright at 703-737-2175 or rcwright@erols.com.
Frogshackle Nature Center open house will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Cascades Parkway, Sterling. Free admission. See the wide variety of natural objects from animals and plants here in the Park and from other habitats. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>FRIDAY/MARCH 22
<cal2>'New Visions: Forthcoming Resources for Shaping Loudoun's Future' is a discussion between Professor Dorn McGrath, Director of the Institute for Urban Environmental Research at the George Washington University; Jonathan Barnett, Professor of City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania; and Anthony Downs (tentative), author of New Visions for Metropolitan America at 7 :30 p.m. at the Loudoun Museum. For more information call 703-777-7427 or visit www.loudounmuseum.org.
New beginners dance classes are being offered at Loudoun County Parks and Recreation located at 407E. Market Street, Leesburg. Foxtrot, waltz, rumba and swing classes are scheduled for 7-8 p.m. Salsa/mambo classes will be offered 8-9 p.m. The classes will run for four weeks and cost $25 per program. Call 703-406-7894 for registration or more information.
Nature Buddies (Ages 2) preschool program will be offered 11-11:30 a.m. at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Cascades Parkway, Sterling. Introduce toddlers to nature. No siblings please. $2.50/session. Registration required. For more information call 703-444-1275.
Library 101 class for homeschoolers is scheduled for 10 a.m. at The Purcellville Library, 220 East Main Street, Purcellville. First session will teach the difference between fiction and non-fiction and the Dewey Decimal System. For children ages 8 and up. Pre-registration is required by March 6. For more information, call 540-338-7235 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Bake and Decorate Easter Cookies from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Sterling Annex, 1115 W. Church Road, Sterling. A $6 supply is collected by the instructor. Children will bring their decorated cookies home to share. Pre-registration is required. For more information call 703-430-6673.
The Herndon Community Center is hosting a Shotokan Karate class on Friday evenings from 7:15-8:15 p.m. The class runs from March 22 to June 7 and is open to anyone ages eight and up interested in learning this traditional Japanese karate class. The class fee is $40 for Town of Herndon residents and $44 for non-residents.
Family flashlight Easter egg hunt. Enjoy an egg-citing evening hunting for eggs in our park at the Sterling Community Center. Pre-registration required. Times: 7-7:20 p.m. (ages 2-3), 7:30-8 p.m. (ages 4-5) 8:05-8:30 p.m. (ages 6-10) The hunt will be indoors in the event of rain. Cost $5 per person. Call 430-9480.
Flashlight candy hunt at the Douglass Community Center. The Easter Bunny has hidden treats in the field and children ages 6-11 must sneak in after dark to find them. Time: 7-7:30 p.m. Cost $3 per person. Must register by March 19. Call 703-771-5913. Event is sponsored by the Douglass Community Center Advisory Board.
Eat pizza with the Easter Bunny. Come share dinner with the Easter Bunny and have a picture made at the Douglass Community Center, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Ages 2-5. Cost $12 per person. Registration is required by March 19. Call 703-771-5913. Event is sponsored by the Douglass Community Center Advisory Board.
Peter Cotton Tail Candy Hunt. Little ones can search the Douglass Community Center playground to find hidden treats at the from 6:30-7 p.m. Ages: walking-Age 5. Cost $3 per person. Must register by March 19. Call 703-771-5913. Payment taken at door. Event is sponsored by the Douglass Community Center Advisory Board.
Congressman Frank Wolf (R-10th), the DEA, and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office will host an informational briefing on the illegal use of OxyContin at 10 a.m. at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg.